Healthy Home and Garden
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June/July 2000
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Features
Cleaner Air Coming to Detroit
Henry Ford Hospital to Close Incinerator
by Mary Beth Doyle
Selling Their Future Short?
Engler Panel Ignores Doctors' Advice
by Dave Dempsey
Recycling Land
Brownfield Redevelopment is a Balancing Act of Priorities
by Mike Tolinski
Dumbing Down the Children
Michigan, Other States Ignore Federal Lead Testing Law
by Peter Montague
Columns
Tiny Township Turns Down GM
Rural Milan Residents Reject Rail-Car Yard, by Aretta Schills
Diet, Health, and the Environment
An Interview with John Robbins, by Rachel Shaw
Healthy Home and Garden
Energy Star Products Save Cash and Power, by Kristi Jacques
Huron Valley News
Webster Township Holds Sprawl Forum, by Ernie Becker
Science for the People
Pesticides Linked to Decreased Fertility, by Mary Beth Doyle
Energy Star Products Save Cash and Energy
By Kristi Jacques
Through a collaboration between the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and several companies, the Energy Star label guides consumers to identify energy efficient products while shopping.
Products qualify for an Energy Star rating by exceeding the minimum federal standards by a specified amount. Federal standards are determined for energy consumption for numerous consumer products, and the amount these standards must be exceeded vary from product to product.
The following are a few examples of top-ranking Energy Star models for four kinds of appliances.
Clothes Washers
By using less water to get clothes clean and sensors to match hot water needs to the load, washers can avoid energy waste. The following is a partial list of models awarded the Energy Star label:
| Brand | Model | Volume |
|---|---|---|
| Asko | W620 | 1.90 |
| Maytag | MAH4000 | 2.90 |
| Kenmore | 400042 | 2.65 |
| Frigidaire | 39012 | 2.65 |
Refrigerators
In most households, a refrigerator is the single largest power consumer! In order to make a more efficient refrigerator, producers use better insulation, more efficient compressors, improved heat transfer surfaces and more precise temperature and defrost mechanisms. In order to qualify for the Energy Star rating, refrigerators must exceed the minimum federal standards by at least 20%. A partial list of Energy Star labeled models follows:
| Brand/Model | Volume | Savings |
|---|---|---|
| Jenn-Air/JSD2574ARB | 24.8 | 33% |
| Magic Chef/CTL1511BEW | 15.0 | 31% |
| Maytag/MTB1956DE | 18.5 | 31% |
| Maytag/MTF2456DE | 23.7 | 31% |
Dishwashers
Using both improved technology for the primary wash cycle and less hot water to clean, Energy Star dishwashers save energy and money. Efficient motors and sensors that set the length of the washing cycle and the temperature of the water necessary to clean are included in construction. A partial list of models follows:
| Brand | Model | % Better |
|---|---|---|
| ORIGO | EXD 1000 | 117% |
| Asko | 1895 | 104% |
| Maytag | DWU9962 | 57% |
| Kenmore | 14349 | 54% |
Room Air Conditioners
Energy efficient air conditioners include high-efficiency compressors, fan motors and heat-transfer surfaces. In order for an air conditioner to carry the Energy Star label, it must exceed federal standards by at least 15%. An important point to remember when purchasing and air conditioner is to buy the correct size. Most people buy one that is too large for the space, resulting in reduced effectiveness and a wasting of energy. A partial list of Energy Star labeled models follows:
| Brand | Model | % Better |
|---|---|---|
| Friedrich | SQ05J10A | 38% |
| Cold Point | EP08RSA | 28% |
| Amana | 5M11TA | 25% |
| Whirlpool | ACQ052XH0 | 25% |
More Information
For more information about Energy Star products and stores which feature them in your area, consult the official website at http://www.energystar.gov. You can also call 1-888-STAR-YES.
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